Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis is a type of inflammation in the blood vessels. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, neck or facial pain, and blindness.

At the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, our surgeons in the Division of Vascular Surgery are experts in treating giant cell arteritis. We take a team approach to diagnose your condition and design a treatment plan that’s right for you.

If left untreated, giant cell arteritis can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications like permanent blindness and stroke.

Diagnosing giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis can be a challenge to diagnose. Its symptoms can be similar to those of other health problems.

To diagnose giant cell arteritis, your UPMC vascular surgeon will:

Discuss your medical history.

Ask about your symptoms.

Give you a physical exam.

He or she may also use the following tests to confirm a giant cell arteritis diagnosis:

An imaging test, like a Duplex ultrasound, can show if your blood vessels are narrow.

A blood test that measures your erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also known as your SED rate. During a SED test, your blood is drawn and placed in a small tube to measure how fast your red blood cells fall to the bottom. If your red blood cells fall quickly, this may indicate inflammation in your blood vessels.

A biopsy of your temporal artery is the definite test to check for inflammation.